# FreeLLMAPI Prerequisites: Complete System Requirements and Setup Guide

> Discover the FreeLLMAPI prerequisites including Node.js 20+, Docker, and LLM provider API keys. Get your system ready for seamless deployment.

- Repository: [Tashfeen/freellmapi](https://github.com/tashfeenahmed/freellmapi)
- Tags: getting-started
- Published: 2026-08-30

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**To run FreeLLMAPI, you need Node.js 20+, optionally Docker for containerized deployment, and API keys for your chosen LLM providers.**

FreeLLMAPI is an open-source API gateway that aggregates free-tier large language model providers into a single, OpenAI-compatible endpoint. Understanding the prerequisites for running FreeLLMAPI ensures a smooth installation whether you choose the one-liner Docker setup or local development.

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## Core System Requirements

FreeLLMAPI is designed for broad compatibility. According to the [tashfeenahmed/freellmapi](https://github.com/tashfeenahmed/freellmapi) source code, the project "Runs anywhere Node 20+ runs" as stated in the README at lines 167-168.

### Node.js Runtime

- **Required version:** Node.js 20 or higher
- **Purpose:** The server and CLI are built with modern JavaScript features requiring a recent Node runtime
- **Verification:** Run `node --version` to check your installed version

### Supported Operating Systems

FreeLLMAPI works across all major platforms:

- Windows (x64 and ARM)
- macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon)
- Linux (x64 and ARM)
- ARM devices including Raspberry Pi

The README notes that the desktop app ships binaries for macOS and Windows (lines 167-176), while the server component runs universally where Node.js is available.

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## Optional but Recommended Prerequisites

### Docker

Docker is the fastest path to running FreeLLMAPI. The project provides a `curl … | bash` installer that pulls a Docker image and starts a container automatically, as documented at lines 73-78 in the README.

**When Docker is essential:**

- Using the one-line installation: `curl -fsSL https://get.freellmapi.dev | bash`
- Following the Docker Compose deployment guide

### Git

While not strictly required for Docker users, Git is necessary for:
- Cloning the repository for local development
- Pulling updates and staying current with releases

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## Provider API Keys (Optional but Practical)

To access actual LLM inference through FreeLLMAPI, you need credentials for at least one supported provider. Keys are stored encrypted in a local SQLite database (lines 63-66).

**Supported providers include:**

- Google (Gemini)
- Groq
- Cohere
- Additional free-tier services

You can add these through the web dashboard after starting the server.

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## Production Deployment Extras

For production-grade supervision, the README mentions you can run the server under **PM2**, **systemd**, or "whatever supervisor you prefer" (lines 167-168). These are not strict prerequisites but recommended for long-running deployments.

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## Quick Verification Checklist

Before installing, confirm you have:

1. Node.js ≥ 20 installed (`node --version`)
2. Docker installed and running (recommended)
3. Git available (for source installations)
4. At least one provider API key ready

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## Summary

- **Node.js 20+** is the only hard dependency for running FreeLLMAPI from source
- **Docker** provides the simplest installation path via the official one-liner installer
- **Operating system** flexibility spans Windows, macOS, Linux, and ARM architectures
- **API keys** enable actual LLM access but aren't required for server startup
- **Process managers** like PM2 or systemd help with production deployments

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## Frequently Asked Questions

### Do I need Docker to run FreeLLMAPI?

No, Docker is optional but recommended. You can run FreeLLMAPI directly with Node.js 20+ by cloning the repository and following the local development instructions. Docker simply provides the fastest setup through the `curl -fsSL https://get.freellmapi.dev | bash` one-liner installer.

### Can I run FreeLLMAPI on a Raspberry Pi?

Yes. FreeLLMAPI supports ARM devices including Raspberry Pi, as confirmed in the README at lines 167-176. Any platform where Node.js 20+ runs is compatible.

### What happens if I don't add any API keys?

The server will start and the dashboard will be accessible, but you won't be able to make actual LLM inference requests. API keys for providers like Google, Groq, or Cohere are required to route requests to free-tier models.

### Is PM2 required for production use?

No. The README explicitly states you can use "PM2 / systemd / whatever supervisor you prefer" (lines 167-168). Any process manager capable of keeping a Node.js application running will work for production deployments.